I have a son who is 6 years old and in the 1st grade. He is the youngest person in his class because he only turned 6 when the school year started. Anyway, he has already been diagnosed with ADHD and is on Aderall and Stratera. I have never thought him to be autistic because I ahd always assumed it had a lot to do with being non-verbal and such. He is completely verbal and is on the A/B honor roll. What concerns me is that he is experienceing some behavior changes. He has a notebook that he is constantly drawing in but it is all just seemingly scribbles and chaotic. He is always cutting pieces of paper and I find these everywhere, even in his desk at school. I have found that he cuts up his clothes as well but with no real explanation. Even as a baby, he has always been able to play on his own for hours. Most of the time, he stays to himself in his room. He has always been very afraid of loud noises and has said it hurts his ears (we had his hearing tested and found no problems). No matter how much trouble he gets in for misbehaving, he never seems sorry- has very flat affect in most emetions, does not like to hug anyone but his immediate family. Had problems ever looking anyone in the eyes- avoids eye contact most of the time. Cannot stay on task- so easily distracted- has a lot of obsessive thinking and does a lot of mumbling, talking to himself and repeats words a lot. It was not until his pediatrician thought she may like to get him tested did I ever think of autism but his therapist also mentioned it. At any rate, since I don't know much about autism, I figured he seems to function just fine but I did not know if there are many degrees of autism and is it ever diagnosed this late? I would appreciate any experience, strength and hope.